About
I am a writer and mental health counselor based in Decatur, Georgia. I published The Green Dumb Guide to Houseplants with Chronicle Books in 2023, and my other writing has appeared in McSweeney’s Internet Tendency and Points in Case. In 2017, my short humor piece “My Fully Optimized Life Allows me Ample Time to Optimize Yours” struck a chord with west coast wellness influencers who did not realize it was satire. I was invited to speak at several conferences and offered coaching contracts.
I am also an identical twin, a German translator, and a former high school mascot. I have a master’s degree in environmental management, which is extremely distressing, so I pursued a master’s in counseling, which has been very helpful for dealing with rejection letters. If by MFA you mean “mildly foreign affect,” then yes, I have one!
In my free time, I enjoy repeating the same handful of Vietnamese lessons on Duolingo, sprouting things, drawing with my preschooler, attempting to meditate, and revising the manuscript of my first novel.
I live with my husband, our two children, and six pet dart frogs who like to sing along to the TV. The frogs were bred in captivity and are non-toxic.
…or are they?
Featured Work
The Green Dumb Guide to Houseplants
For those who want to take care of houseplants but can hardly take care of themselves, The Green Dumb Guide to Houseplants is the perfect handbook for even the most greenery-inept individual.
We all love the idea of houseplants, and maybe you've stood by helplessly as a cactus went all slimy or you've endured the perpetual indoor autumn of an unhappy Ficus. Good news-all of the plants in this book have two things in common: They're easy to find and hard to kill.
The benefits of plant ownership are legion. Studies indicate just being around plants creates a relaxing effect on people. And plants make great roommates-no Peace Lily will ever criticize you for quitting your workout video to go finish a box of Triscuits.
Does your bedroom have a mattress on the floor and Christmas lights taped to the wall? Put a Money Tree in the corner. Instant upgrade! Are you a corporate lackey trapped under fluorescent lights and a drop-tile ceiling? A colorful Calathea or a chunky little Aloe could help restore your will to live. The Green Dumb Guide to Houseplants is full of useful advice, crucial dos and don'ts, and realistic inspiration for all budgets and attention spans—ensuring success to even the most risk-averse, commitment-phobic indoor gardeners.
